Fifty athletes from 13 countries will participate in the 2012 Guatape ITU Triathlon World Cup on Sunday in Colombia.

At the event’s pre-race press conference on Saturday, Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson admitted she was really surprised of the beauty of the city of Guatape and intends to return in 2013.

U.S. Olympian Manuel Huerta spoke of the difficulty of the course, saying the long hills will be good for the Colombian athletes but he’s really pleased to be in Guatape and is certain the public will see and spectacular event on Sunday.

Carolina Grimaldo and Hernan Dario Rubiano, both from Colombia, gave a warm welcome to the athletes of the 13 countries who came to their country. Carolina said that she was sure the athletes will enjoy the spectacular view of the course, maybe they will suffer a little, but they will love the view. Hernan encouraged the Guatape residents to watch the race and thanked all the athletes for coming to Colombia.

ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado thanked the city and local organising committee for the hospitality, in this her first visit to Colombia and Guatape. Casado is impressed with the beauty of Guatape and said the most important part is the hospitality, because that is what the athletes will keep in their memories and will inspire them to return for the next year. Casado also spoke of the importance of countries like Colombia hosting a World Cup to help increase the number and the level of the athletes of the host country. As a result, she hopes to see a lot more athletes from Guatape at ITU events.

Also present at the press conference were Pedro Chirino, President of the Colombian Triathlon Federation, José Luis Echeverri, member of the Colombian Olympic Committee and Jose Fernando Espinoza, member of the organizing Committee of the 2012 Guatape ITU Triathlon World Cup.